K.Michelle, country music, — Photo by Johnny Louis/Getty Images

by Keka Araújo

June 12, 2025

K. Michelle’s Expertly Clears Delusional Journo During Interview, Affirming Her Rightful Place In Country Music

Puddin' said what she said!

K. Michelle, the acclaimed vocalist transitioning from R&B stages to country music’s hallowed grounds, recently confronted skepticism from one goofy journalist regarding her authentic connection to the genre, asserting her deep Southern heritage with unyielding conviction.

During an interview at the 2025 CMA Fest, the Memphis native, also known by her country moniker Puddin’, addressed an interviewer’s challenge to her background, retorting, “I did grow up in country music. You do this all the time.”

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She further shared how she even got a college scholarship for yodeling.

The cringeworthy interaction during the interview garnered strong reactions on social media.

“Keith Urban is Australian and is accepted as a country music star. But, K.Michelle was born and raised country isn’t accepted as a country music star. Hmmmm…I wonder why,” one person wrote.

Someone else noted, “Shaboozey is a Nigerian kid from Virginia and all he had to do was use a twang and he was accepted as real ‘country,’ while being on a Black woman from Texas’ ‘non country’ album. Make it make sense.”

“Yt people thinking that they invented country music is hilarious af. All they have done and still do is steal,” another person stated, pointing out the silent part.

The artist, celebrated for her powerful mezzo-soprano, underscored her bona fide country credentials.

“My start, to you, has been when the Judd [family] reached out to me to go pay Naomi Judd tribute,” she explained, referencing her poignant 2023 performance of “Love Can Build A Bridge” with Jelly Roll at the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards. This moment marked a pivotal, visible step in her country music journey, though she maintained that the genre has “always been a thing for me.”

K. Michelle’s pivot to country music has been met with both enthusiasm and latent resistance, particularly concerning racial dynamics within the industry.

She candidly recounted facing explicit barriers: “I was told I could not sing country music because I was Black, but it was something I had always been doing and will continue to do.”

Her recent presence at CMA Fest, a cornerstone event for country music enthusiasts, was a testament to her steadfast commitment.

“I’m born and raised in Tennessee. I didn’t fly here. I grew here,” she declared, firmly grounding her identity in the region’s musical soil.

When the journalist pointed out her limited presence on contemporary country radio in the interview, K. Michelle delivered a potent rebuttal, highlighting broader systemic issues, “Well, you don’t hear a lot of women in contemporary radio, period, right now. And you really don’t hear Black ones, but you will.”

This unflinching stance positions K. Michelle as a significant trailblazer, challenging long-standing norms and advocating for greater diversity within the country music genre. Her debut country single, “Tennessee,” is currently available, offering a glimpse into her sound, while Puddin’s Outlaw Music is slated for a forthcoming release. Her commitment to this new chapter was solidified in 2024 when she officially signed with BMG Nashville.

@kmichellememphis Outlaws, its time for my debut Kountry Album! Heres a snippet called “Where The Night Goes” ❤️🌻✍️ #puddin ♬ original sound – KmichelleMemphis

K. Michelle’s journey is poised to redefine expectations, pushing boundaries for Black artists and women seeking their rightful place in the expansive American country music landscape.

ICE, Syracuse Player, Deportation, South Sudan — (Photo: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

by Sharelle B. McNair

June 12, 2025

ICE Approves Nation’s Largest Detention Center, Headquartered In South Georgia, Amid DOGE Review

A report revealed the contract was flagged by DOGE due to a policy that all DHS contracts over $20 million are required to be reviewed by the team.

Georgia’s Republican Congressman Buddy Carter announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) approved a plan to build the largest immigrant detention facility in the southeastern portion of the state, according to The Washington Post.

In a press release, Carter said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) expanded a contract with the D. Ray James Correctional Facility to become part of the Folkston Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Processing Centre. There will be close to 3,000 beds, with the opportunity to increase capacity and heighten the existing detention operations system.

In addition, Carter celebrated the plan as it will bring approximately 400 new jobs and economic growth to the First Congressional District. “With this expansion, Georgia will strengthen its status as a national leader in the fight to secure our southern border,” Carter said.

“I’m proud to have worked with Charlton County to get the D. Ray James Correctional Facility expansion over the finish line, which will bring jobs and economic growth to our region, and I will continue to support our brave ICE agents as they seek to restore law and order.”

The $47 million contract change comes just days after Charlton County Administrator Glenn Hull initially announced that the plan wouldn’t move forward due to the absence of a “federal policy change.” A report revealed the contract was flagged by the Department of Government Efficiency — better known as DOGE — due to a policy that all DHS contracts over $20 million are required to be reviewed by the team formerly led by Elon Musk.

The announcement also comes as anti-ICE protests have erupted throughout cities across the U.S. and ahead of President Donald Trump’s military parade scheduled for his June 14th birthday. News of the detention center caught the eye of immigration advocates, who set up protests outside of Atlanta’s ICE Field Office.

Executive Director of El Refugio Amilcar Valencia said the decision risks immigrants’ human rights. “People should be able to go back to their communities to continue a process without being detained, without being incarcerated, without the need of, you know, having to, you know, go through all this process where their human dignity, their human rights are uh at risk,” Valencia said, according to News 4 Jax.

”We are here demanding that the county that the, you know, the administration stop any efforts to expand the Folkston detention center because, again, this is going to affect not only the community in South Georgia but the whole community throughout the state of Georgia and the Carolinas as well.”

Valencia has spearheaded other protests and complaints about the conditions at the James Correctional Facility, accusing the facility of forcing immigrants to sleep on the floor and not providing proper healthcare.

BET, TYLER PERRY — (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

by Kandiss Edwards

June 12, 2025

Tyler Perry Proclaims He Is A Black Millionaire Maker

At the 2025 BET Awards, Tyler Perry took a moment to discuss his life's footprint, specifically creating millionaires.

Tyler Perry spoke about his ability to make millionaires while on stage at the 2025 BET Awards.

The billionaire entrepreneur has been a staple in Black Hollywood for over 20 years from his successful stage-play run to box office success. To date, Perry’s films have grossed over $1 billion at the box office .

“I have made more Black millionaires—hear me when I say this—than any studio in this city combined because I’m making footprints,” Perry said. “So I don’t care if you’re struggling, if you’re trying to make it, you’re trying to build a business. If you have a dream, keep making footprints. This is not the time to give up. This is the time to dig in and keep leaving footprints everywhere you go.”

Actors and actresses often talk about Tyler’s generosity, saying that they get paid what they are worth at Tyler Perry Studios.

Paying Taraji’s Worth

Taraji P. Henson was one of the first Black actresses to speak about Tyler Perry’s fair business practices. On an episode of Variety’s: Actors on Actors, Henson revealed that Perry was the first studio that paid her asking price: $500,000.

“I’ve been trying to prove and improve. I was asking for half a million. I didn’t get paid that until I did my first Tyler Perry film. He was the first person who paid me $500,000. I was never in a position where I could not take a job,” Henson said to actress Ellen Pompeo.

As Henson has worked with Perry multiple times in the last decade, she may be one of those millionaires.

Honoring Cicely Tyson

Perry is not only paying fair wages and making millionaires out of new talent. The Madea’s Family Reunion creator is also financially lifting up the old guard. In 2007, Perry paid Black Hollywood legend Cicely Tyson $1 million a day’s work on Why Did I Get Married?

Tyson, who died in 2021, was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. Yet, the actress never received her worth according to Perry.

“This woman had done so many amazing things, but she wasn’t well compensated for it. She made $6,000 for Sounder, you know?” he told AARP The Magazine. “I wanted to make sure she knew that there were people who valued her.”

These are only a few examples of Perry’s millionaire-making work. He currently owns the largest production studio in the United States, so his capacity to make millionaires is seemingly endless.

World Health Organization, WHO, vaccines, birth defects, outcomes, pregnant, pregnancy, women — Photo by SDI Productions/Getty Images

by Jameelah Mullen

June 12, 2025

New COVID-19 Strain Causing ‘Razor Blade Throat’ Spreading In U.S.

Reports indicate that the Nimbus variant of the COVID-19 virus has appeared in 13 U.S. states.

A new COVID-19 variant is circulating, and it comes with a painful symptom.

Some people who have contracted the B.1.8.1 variant, informally called “Nimbus,” reported experiencing a “razor blade throat,” or a severe sore throat, according to Salon. Nimbus accounts for over 37% of new COVID-19 cases in the United States. Other reported symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and congestion.

A preprint study published in May 2025, which has not undergone peer review, suggested mutations in NB. 1.8.1 may enhance its ability to bind to human cells, potentially making it more transmissible than other variants. Earlier this year, the Nimbus strain drove surges in China and other regions of Asia. Experts indicate that it’s unclear whether the Nimbus variant will cause a summer surge.

“It’s hard to predict whether this variant or another will take off and cause a wave…but it’s likely that it won’t be as severe as what we experienced before 2023,” Dr. Albert Ko, professor of public health, epidemiology and medicine at Yale School of Public Health, told TODAY.com.

Data from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza (GISAID) shows that the variant has been detected in at least 13 states: California, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Arizona, Illinois, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

The World Health Organization’s risk evaluation report suggests that the Nimbus variant poses a low global threat. The report also states that current COVID-19 vaccines can protect against severe illness.

This development comes weeks after Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed COVID vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women.

Experts indicate newborns are better protected against the virus when their mothers receive the vaccine.

“The science has not changed,” Dr. Steven J. Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said in a statement obtained by NPR. “It is very clear that COVID infection during pregnancy can be catastrophic and lead to major disability.”

Morehouse College, Dream — (Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 12, 2025

Morehouse’s Retail Business Program Still Struggles To Find Funding As It Hopes To Expand

The program latest cohort helped 20 businesses learn about scaling and profitability.

Morehouse College’s retail business program was established to empower Black entrepreneurs, but those dreams may be deferred if funding cannot support next year’s class.

The program’s latest cohort of graduates included 20 businesses. During their year-and-a-half matriculation, the entrepreneurs learned essential business tactics, including scaling up and generating profits.

“You need to be here for one main reason, along with information,” new graduate Demond Crump told WABE. “You need to come network, because once again, there’s nothing like being in a room with like-minded individuals, people that are going in the same direction that you are.”

Crump, the founder of a premium sanitary napkins company called Reign, has already scored millions of customers. However, that same type of success for future entrepreneurs remains in limbo: The program cannot take on new students without significant financial backing.

“This comes from philanthropic dollars, and with that, a lot of the philanthropy has really been quiet, if you will. I’m hoping that the dust will clear and that we can indeed continue this work,” explained Tiffany Bussey, executive director of the college’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center.

The program came to fruition after research determined that funding was the primary access barrier for Black businesses. Historically, Black businesses have faced systemic discrimination regarding loan approval. According to the 2024 State of Black Business report, only 32% of Black entrepreneurs received full approval for financing and 40% of Black business owners were denied loans entirely.

This issue has escalated as the federal government pushes for anti-DEI policies. Venture capitalist firms dedicated to uplifting diverse entrepreneurs have been forced to scale back these efforts. With only 6% of Black businesses in retail, initiatives to promote such endeavors are even more critical.

Bussey added, “We know that this program works. We know we have to continue this type of work to push the needle forward.”

Thankfully for these entrepreneurs, Morehouse remains committed to sourcing new funding with its already established partners. The past year’s cohort received its support through the Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, a non-profit business loan service.

“We’re just going to go find new friends that aren’t sitting on the sidelines and that want to continue to fund this work, because it does make an impact and we will close the racial wealth gap over time,” said Ray Pennie, chief of business advisory services at Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs.

Atlanta, gentrification, — Photo by Joey Kyber: https://www.pexels.com/photo/time-lapse-cars-on-fast-motion-134643/

by Kandiss Edwards

June 12, 2025

Gentrification Is Here: Black Atlanta Residents Struggle To Stay In The City

Atlanta was named the most educated city, unfortunately it comes at a cost. Black residents say the city is no longer affordable.

Atlanta was recently named the smartest and most educated city; unfortunately, it comes at a cost. The city is no longer considered an affordable place for Black residents of Atlanta.

This Georgia city is experiencing a surge in its technology sector, and with more highly educated individuals moving in, Atlanta’s profile is certainly on the rise. But there’s a troubling side to this growth: many long-time, lower-income residents, who once formed the vibrant heart of the city’s “Black Mecca” culture, are now being pushed out. A report released in 2025 by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) paints a clear picture of this demographic shift, showing that Atlanta has lost 22,149 Black residents while gaining nearly 22,965 white residents since 1980. It’s a complex story where urban renewal clashes with the erosion of established communities.

Civil Rights Activist Devin Barrington-Ward spoke to WSBTV about the drastic difference in Atlanta neighborhoods. He also placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of the city’s government. Large tax incentives for developers have increased interest in Atlanta properties. Ward blames the city and the county for issuing these incentives without considering the residents.

“When we see what type of money is being given to corporate developers, as far as tax breaks from the city and the county, of course, Black folks would no longer be able to afford to live in the city of Atlanta. These are policy decisions being made by people who are in elected office,” Ward said.

Maja Sly told Channel 2 that although gentrification appears rampant, help is available.

“We have the best programs, not just in the state of Georgia but in the city of Atlanta, to make home ownership affordable. It’s gentrification on paper, but there’s a bigger story that has to be told about this,” said Sly.

Atlanta Down Payment and Rental Assistance

The Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) offers a downpayment assistance program of up to $20,000 for prospective homeowners. Furthermore, the program’s eligibility requirements are not unreasonable:

First-time homebuyers who have not owned a home in the past 3 years, excluding any ownership interest in residential or commercial property during this period.
The purchase price must be no more than $375,000.
The buyer’s liquid assets cannot exceed $35,000.
The buyer’s contribution towards the down payment must be at least $1,500.
Income must be at most 80% of the current HUD’s MSA Area Median Income.
Properties must be located within the City of Atlanta.
The property must be the homebuyer’s primary residence. Applicants must meet the primary lender’s credit requirements and secure approval for conventional, FHA, or VA loan financing.
The primary loan term typically ranges from 15 to 30 years and must be a fixed-rate loan.
Proof of Georgia residency for at least six months is required.
Undeveloped land is not qualified.
Complete an eight-hour Homebuyer Education class.

Investing In The New Atlanta and Old Black Mecca

Though the tenant-based assistance program has a waiting list, applying can still be beneficial. InvestAtlanta is another organization working to help the “Black Mecca” retain its citizens. While investing in the city’s growth, InvestAtlanta is also dedicating a percentage of its available units to Atlanta residents. Their newest project allocates 150 out of 166 new apartment units, in English Avenue, Vine City, and Riverside neighborhoods, to residents. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens expressed his support for growing the new Atlanta while protecting the Old Mecca.

“An Atlanta for all is one that prioritizes healthy, thriving neighborhoods that benefit residents and communities throughout the city,” says Mayor Dickens, who also serves as the Board Chair of Invest Atlanta. “Strategically using TAD funding, along with innovative partnerships with the faith community and private and nonprofit sectors, not only helps to meet our affordable housing commitment, but also brings new quality housing that spurs additional investment in these neighborhoods.”

Snoop Dogg, brother, Death Row — (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for MTV/Paramount Global)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 12, 2025

Will Snoop Dogg Be Serving Burgers In Scotland?

The entertainer wants to open a pop-up burger spot at a sports stadium in Glasgow

If Snoop Dogg has his way, he’d serve some burgers to fans who visit Celtic Park, a sports stadium in Glasgow, Scotland.

In a recent interview with The Daily Record, the Los Angeles-bred recording artist and entrepreneur aims to feed fans who attend events at the stadium in Parkhead. His idea would be to have a pop-up burger spot at the home of the Scottish Premiership team, Celtic.

With the pop-up, he wants to dispel the thought that food at sports arenas is “never good.”

“There has always been the opinion that food at sports stadiums is never good, but that ain’t got to be the case.”

The Gin & Juice rapper brags about his cooking ability and said he would show fans that he can bring good food to the stadium.

“People know that Snoop is a cook, and I would love to bring a pop-up burger to a sports stadium to show fans that food at stadiums can be good. It’s got to be Celtic Park, man, I mean, where else am I going to bring it?”

His love for cooking will shine through in the way he prepares the burger, adding his secret ingredients to his creation.

“The secret to a good burger is the love in the preparation. The ground beef has got to be mixed with some secret spices, then add a good quality cheese and some maple-cured bacon.”

He also mentions that he has previously talked to famed chef Gordon Ramsay about opening a restaurant with him in Scotland.

“I have told him I want to open a restaurant with him, and maybe it might even be in Glasgow.”

Snoop has proven in the past that he knows his way around the kitchen when he released a cookbook, From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen, in 2018. He then wrote a follow-up with his Bay Area cohort, E-40. In 2023, they released Snoop Dogg Presents Goon with the Spoon.

Sickle Cell Gene Therapy , Prairie View A&M University — (Photo: Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

by Mitti Hicks

June 12, 2025

Blood Bank Urges African Americans to Donate Blood For Sickle Cell Patients

Sickle cell disease affects about 100,000 people in the United States.

One of the largest nonprofits supplying blood to hospitals and health centers is urging African Americans to donate more blood.

Lorean Mays, who oversees the African-American and Sickle Cell initiative at Blood Assurance, said that less than 3% of blood donors are of African-American descent. She says it’s urgent that the percentage rise.

“You have a more genetic match if you have an African-American donor giving that blood,” Mays told Local 3 News (Chattanooga, TN). “That is then going to be provided to a sickle cell patient in the hospital in crisis, or as we call it, an emergency.”

Mays, who has spent over two decades advocating for health and medical awareness, is calling for more donations ahead of Blood Donor Day (June 14) and World Sickle Cell Day (June 19).

Sickle Cell Impacts African Americans More

Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder affecting red blood cells. Research indicates a higher prevalence of sickle cell disease among Black Americans than in other racial groups in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sickle cell disease (SCD) affects about 100,000 people in the United States. More than 90% are non-Hispanic Black or African American. The estimated life expectancy of those with SCD in the United States is more than 20 years shorter than the average expected.

According to Mays, African Americans who donate blood often provide a genetic match to other African Americans, which is important because there are instances when the body rejects blood donations, even if the body needs it.

“There are some that, because they have to have so many transfusions and depending on the severity of the disease, they can begin to reject the blood,” said Mays.

Mays added that blood donations from everyone are necessary and anything will help Blood Assurance’s current severe need.

“Ideally when we’re speaking of sickle cell disease, we want to speak directly to the African-American community,” she explained. “But that does not mean our Asian counterparts, white counterparts, Hispanic and Latino counterparts cannot donate.”

Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center serving healthcare facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, and North Carolina. According to leaders, more than 540 volunteer blood donors are needed daily to adequately supply these hospitals.

For more information on donating, visit the Blood Assurance website.

Deion Sanders — Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 12, 2025

Deion Sanders Assures Fans He’s Returning To Colorado

No further details were disclosed.

NFL Hall of Famer Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has been away from the University of Colorado Boulder campus due to health concerns—but don’t worry, he’s coming back to Boulder.

According to USA Today, after Sanders canceled an appearance for The Foundation for Sickle Cell Research in Florida on June 8 and missed several football camps at the school, there was curiosity as to why he missed those events.

Without explaining the reasons behind his absences, Sanders took to social media to issue an an assurance.

“I can assure you all that everything is OKAY and will continue to be so. God got me like no other. I have so much more work to do to Glorify God so please believe God got me“

Wow, I am truly blessed for the abundance of well wishes, for all the thoughts and all of the prayers. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! 🙏🏾

I can assure you all that everything is OKAY and will continue to be so. God got me like no other. I have so much more work to do to Glorify…

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) June 11, 2025

Coach Prime’s son Deion Jr. said on a live stream that his father was home at the family estate in Canyon, Texas, and “feeling well.” No specific date was given for the coach’s return.

On a recent podcast with Asante Samuel, Deion did mention that he lost 14 pounds and what he is “dealing with right now is at whole other level.”

This upcoming season will be the first one without his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, who will both be rookies this coming NFL season. Shedeur was drafted in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns. Shilo was undrafted but signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Morris Brown College,federal funding, Hospitality Managemen — (Photo: 2C2K Photography/flickr)

by Kandiss Edwards

June 12, 2025

Morris Brown Extends A Hand To Job Corps Students

The president of Morris Brown College Dr. Kevin James is inviting students dismissed from Job Corps to apply to the school.

The president of Morris Brown College, Dr. Kevin James, is inviting students dismissed from Job Corps to apply to the school.

On June 9, the Department of Labor announced the “cessation” of all Job Corps programs. President James is offering another option to former Job Corps students. James would like to offer a new educational home to the thousands of students in various stages of their job training.

“We’ll sit down with them to talk to them about what their goals and dreams are, and maybe even walk them through considerations of different skills. Here at Morris Brown College, we want them to know that they’re not alone,” Dr. James told WSBTV in an interview.

James sent a letter to the organization to let them know Morris Brown is a viable option for its students. The HBCU president says he has a personal connection to the organization. He is intimately familiar with the program and its value to the community at large.

“The situation at Job Corps touched me intimately,” Morris Brown College James said. “My first job out of college was teaching at Job Corps. I have first-hand experience of how important the Job Corps is.”

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Morris Brown Costs

Morris Brown College has seen its own struggles over the past decade. Two decades after losing its accreditation, the college regained its credentials from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools in 2022. Private colleges and universities are often expensive. According to US News, the average cost is nearly $47,000; the number rises as high as $70,000.

With such a steep cost, many may wonder how students will pay for the privilege to attend. The school’s newly restored accreditation will allow students access to federal grants and loans. James says the college’s counselors are ready to advise newcomers.